QBIC has criticised the recently announced Queensland and TMR state budget and what it means for the bus industry
In its member newsletter, the Queensland bus Industry Council (QBIC) has provided members with a detailed analysis of what the Queensland state budget means for the bus industry.
In reviewing the Transport and Main Roads (TMR) state budget, QBIC notes that the state government expects bus patronage to rise from 97.26 million passengers to 106.23 million in 2023/24.
QBIC says the resulting budget is disappointing for the industry as there’s no clear plan for future years.
The efficiency measure cost per passenger trip to administer state-wide government contracted passenger transport services will decrease from $20.36 down to $18.70 in the next year, with TMR planning to increase staffing from 6,164 to 7,118 in 2023/24 through 683 new positions in customer and digital services.
When it comes to funding, QBIC says $60 million will go towards the Northern Transitway and bus priority works at a total estimated cost of $172 million, as well as an upgraded bus station at Cannon Hill Shopping Centre.
Works will also improve Chermside Bus Layover, Gympie Road and Murphy Road intersection and other various stations.
Another $11 million will go into the school bus upgrade program, while $22.5 million will go into the zero-emissions vehicle action plan, including the Queensland zero-emissions vehicle rebate scheme and the Queensland electric vehicle charging infrastructure co-fund scheme.
“The budget is disappointing for industry and supply partners as it highlights concern that there is no clear plan to meet the 2025 deadline for new buses,” QBIC executive director Jason O’Dwyer says.
“We continue to meet with the minister and TMR to advocate for certainty. As we enter into the last three months of the year, there is a full agenda of issues affecting the industry and it will take a combined effort of QBIC, its members, supply partners and supporters to get good results for the industry.”